The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-02-19

pensioners to be benefited thereby was
thought to be s74; but the number of ap
plicants under the act was 30, 297, and the
number of pensions actually allowed 90
ASS, costing it is reported, for the first
year, l,S4z9O0, instead of $4,000 the es
timated expense for that period.
"A law was passed in 1853 for the benefit
OF the surviving widows Of revolutionary
soldiers who were married after January
!, 1900. 1t was estimated that they mum.
bered three hundred at the time Of the
passage Of the act; but the number Of
pensions allowed was 3,742 and the
amount paid for such pensions, during the
first year Of the operation of the act was
$4,000 instead Of $4,000 as had been esti-
mated"
~ have made no search for other illus
trations." the President adds, land the
above being at hand are giVen as tending
to show that estimates can not bs relied
upon in such cases."
Continuing with his objections to the
bill, the President says: "If none should
be pensioned under this bill except those
utterly unable to work, l am satisfied that
the cost stated in the estimate referred to
would be many times multiplied, and with
a constant increase from year TO year, and
II those partially unable TO earn their
support should be admitted TO the priv.
ileges of this bill, the probable increase
Of expense would be appalling.
think it may be said that at the
close of the war Of the rebellion,
every Northern State and great MAORI
ty Of Northern counties and cities werA
burdened with taxation on account Of the
largo bounties paid our soldiers; and the
bonded debt thereby created, still consti-
tutes large item in the account Of the
tax gatherer against the people. Federal
taxation, no less borne by the people than
that directly levied upon their property, is
still maintained at the rate made neces-
sary by the exigencies of war
"If this bill should become law, with
its tremendous addition to our pension OBJ
legation, ] am thoroughly convinced that
further efforts to reduce the Federal reve-
nue., and restore some part of il to our
people, will, and, perhaps should be, seri-
ously questioned. 1t has constantly been
a cause of pride and congratulation to the
American citizen that his country is not
| put to the charge of maintaining large
standing army in time Of peace. Yet we
are now living under war tax which has
been tolerated in peaceful times to meet
| the obligations incurred in war. But for
years past, in all parts of the country the
demand for the reduction of the burdens
of taxation upon our labor and production
has increased in volume and urgency.
II am not willing to approve a meas ure
presenting the objections 10 which this
bill is subjected and which, moreover,
will have the effect of disappointing the
expectations of the people and their de-
sire and hope for relief from war taxation
in the time of peace"
The President closes his message by
saying:
'The evil threatened by this bill u.s. in
my opinion, such that, charged with a
great responsibility in behalf Of the peo-
pie, can not do otherwise than to bring
to consideration of this measure my best
efforts of thought and judgment, and per-
form my constitutional duty in relation
thereto, regardless Of all consequences,
except such as appear to me to be related
TO the best and highest interests of the
country"